USFA LODD: Delaware Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 12.01.2016

After spending more than two months in the hospital fighting her injuries, The Wilmington Fire Department has reported the death of a third firefighter, Senior Firefighter Ardythe “Ardy” Hope, 48, injured while trying to rescue her fellow firefighters who were trapped after a floor collapsed in a brick row home fire on September, 24th.
   

Wilmington firefighters Lieutenant Christopher M. Leach, 41, and Senior Firefighter Jerry W. Fickes, 51, were also killed in the fire and Firefighter Brad Speakman, who has since been released from the hospital, was seriously injured.
  
The family in the home at the time of the fire, including six children, managed to escape through the back of the residence. One of those residents, Beatrice Fana-Ruiz, the daughter of the homeowner, has been charged with arson and murder for intentionally setting the fire.

 

Our condolences to the Hope Family & Friends, Wilmington Fire Department, and to all affected by Senior Firefighter Ardythe “Ardy” Hope’s passing.

  

To date, 79 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2016. Yea-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.) 

USFA LODD: Two Delaware Firefighters On-Duty Death Notification 09.24.2016

In  the early morning hours of September 24th, Wilmington firefighters were dispatched to a burning brick row home on the 1900 block of Lakeview Road. Soon after arrival, believing that there were still residents trapped in the home, firefighters entered the structure. While searching the interior, several firefighters fell through a collapsing floor killing two of them: Lieutenant Christopher M. Leach, 41, and Senior Firefighter Jerry W. Fickes, 51. Two other firefighters were critically injured but reported to be in stable condition. The family in the home at the time of the fire, including six children, managed to escape through the back of the residence. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. Investigation into the fatal fire continues by local, state, and federal authorities.

  

Our condolences to the Leach Family & Friends, the Fickes Family & Friends, Wilmington Fire Department, and to all affected by Lieutenant Christopher M. Leach’s and Senior Firefighter Jerry W. Fickes passing.       

  

To date, 65 and 66 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2016. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page. 

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)